I read your post and it made my bawl....I still have guilt from my last yorkie!
Like you, I had two young kids when I got Chelsea. Both kids were involved in activities and we were on the go alot. My life revolved around my kids, not my dog. Chelsea had a great life and was well cared for and loved...but not like ZoE is. And maybe it's not that the care itself is so much different, but the thought and focus on the care is definately greater now.
My kids are both grown and both are away at college, and it's just me & ZoE, so she's the main focus of my daily life. Maybe ZoE has it better as my world pretty much centers on her and her care, but then again, Chelsea had my kids around everyday and she clearly loved being with them & being the "family dog".
And I'll probably have more guilt when I'm retired and have another yorkie, as I'll be able to spend so much more time with that than I am with ZoE. I think guilt and feeling a bit insecure as to whether your doing all you can as best as you can is just part of parenting skin kids AND fur kids.
__________________ (ZoE  )(Chelsea ) |